May 3, 1987 - Allison Stories Rule The Day at Dega
Stock Car Racing History
Today is also the anniversary of two Allison memories in one race - both of which had long-lasting impacts on racing.
May 3, 1987 - Winston 500 at Talladega - It was my first trip to that behemoth.
A friend of mine and I sat on the frontstretch a section to the right of the starter stand. I watched my first Daytona 500 from atop a motor home in the infield as a teenager. But this was my first time to watch a superspeedway race from the grandstands, and what a sight it was.
The home state crowd was all jacked up over both Bobby Allison and his rookie son Davey being entered. Davey ran a white-hood Ford at Daytona back in February, but now his Ranier Ford had the Havoline Star emblazoned on the hood and full sponsorship on the quarters.
The race had only been underway a short while when we heard the unmistakable boom sound of an exploding tire in the tri-oval. In an instant, fencing was being shredded right before our eyes. Fortunately, we were a section or two away and didnt get any of the shrapnel up in our area. But for a moment we didnt know what was going on or who was involved.
Immediately, multiple cannon shots were heard as everyone else piled into the wreck and also blew tires. Only when the red No. 22 Miller Buick came to a rest did we realize it was Bobby. I vaguely remember a bit of hush although it was probably just the remaining cars having raced out of sight. There was certainly a murmur everywhere as everyone started trying to figure out what they had just seen. And I remember the absolute roar once we all realized Bobby was OK.
As the race went on, the crowd went absolutely nuts as Davey was clearly in a position to win. However, as a Petty fan, I was keeping my eye on another car the No. 21 Wood Brothers Citgo Ford driven by Kyle Petty. In the waning laps, Davey was clearly in control and raced on to his first career win before the home state crowd. Kyle pressed hard and passed a ton of cars late to end up third the best finish of his career I ever got to see in person until seeing him match it at the 2007 Coke 600 in Charlotte.
Bobby Allison's wreck set the wheels in motion for the return of the restrictor plates - plates still run on the cars more than a quarter-century later.
Davey's win was WILDLY popular with the Bama crowd. He and Robert Yates took off from there. Who could have guessed his near-miss at the 1992 championship would be his last hurrah before losing his life in the summer of 1993 - just six years after his first Cup win.
From J.C. Hayes collection.
updated by @tmc-chase: 05/03/18 11:09:15AM
